Pounds to kilograms converter

Pounds and kilograms both measure weight, so this conversion is exact and does not depend on the ingredient. The tool above converts pounds, kilograms, ounces, and grams. It is the conversion you reach for in batch cooking, bread baking, and reading a recipe written in the other system.

Pick units or type in either box.

Common pound and kilogram conversions

Exact weight conversions, for any ingredient:

  • 1 pound = 0.454 kilograms
  • 2 pounds = 0.91 kilograms
  • 5 pounds = 2.27 kilograms
  • 10 pounds = 4.54 kilograms
  • 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
  • 2 kilograms = 4.41 pounds
  • 5 kilograms = 11.02 pounds
  • 1 pound = 16 ounces = 454 grams
  • 1 kilogram = 1000 grams

How the tool works

One pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. The tool multiplies or divides by that factor, so every result is exact.

The tool also handles ounces and grams, so you can move from any US weight unit to metric and back. This is the conversion for batch cooking and bread baking, where weights climb past what ounces and grams handle comfortably.

The kitchen pound vs other pounds

The pound here is the avoirdupois pound, the standard pound for food and for almost everything in the US. There is a lighter troy pound, but it is only for precious metals; you will not see it in a recipe.

Because the conversion is exact, there is no ingredient-dependent error. 1 pound of flour and 1 pound of water both weigh one pound. Density only matters when you convert between weight and volume, not between two weight units.

For everyday cooking, 1 kilogram rounded to 2.2 pounds is fine. The more exact value is 2.20462 pounds per kilogram.

Why kilograms for big batches

For a single home recipe, pounds and ounces work fine. For batch cooking, commercial baking, or bulk orders, kilograms are easier: one number instead of pounds plus ounces, and they fit the rest of the metric system that serious baking uses. A scale that switches between pounds and kilograms covers both needs.

Common pound and kilogram mistakes

  • Rounding 1 kilogram to 2 pounds. It is 2.2 pounds; the 2-pound shortcut loses 10 percent.
  • Confusing the pound with the troy pound. Cooking uses the avoirdupois pound, 0.454 kg.
  • Mixing weight and volume. This is a weight-to-weight conversion; for cups to grams, use the cups to grams tool.
  • Reading a scale that shows pounds and ounces as a decimal. 1 pound 8 ounces is 1.5 pounds, not 1.8.

FAQ

How many kilograms are in a pound?
1 pound is 0.454 kilograms. For a quick mental estimate, a little under half a kilogram.
How many pounds are in a kilogram?
1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds, more precisely 2.20462 pounds.
How many kilograms is 5 pounds?
5 pounds is about 2.27 kilograms.
Is a kilogram heavier than a pound?
Yes. A kilogram is more than double a pound; it takes 2.2 pounds to make a kilogram.
How many grams are in a pound?
1 pound is 16 ounces, which is 453.6 grams. Recipes often round it to 450 grams.

Related tools and guides

¿Necesitas esta herramienta en español? Ver libras a kilogramos.

Where these numbers come from

The international avoirdupois pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. This definition is fixed by international agreement and used by NIST. A kilogram is exactly 1000 grams, and a pound is exactly 16 ounces.

Sources

Our numbers and methodology cross-reference these authorities:

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